Washington, Mar 20: Saturday marks the 1st anniversary of the US led war against Iraq.US President George W Bush yet again stressed the need for the world to come together in the war against terror. "The war on terror is not a figure of speech. It is an inescapable calling of our generation. The terrorists are offended not merely by our policies, they`re offended by our existence as free nations. No concession will appease their hatred," said the President. A year back, Bush went to war without broad international support. But the March 11 Madrid blasts and a pledge by the newly elected government in Spain to withdraw 1300 troops from Iraq has worried the President. Bush reiterated that though there were disagreements over Iraq, the fall of Saddam Hussein had removed instability in the Middle East. "There have been disagreements in this matter among old and valued friends. Those differences belong to the past. All of us can now agree that the fall of the Iraqi dictator has removed a source of violence, aggression and instability in the Middle East," he held. The speech was an attempt not just to heal damaged relations with allied governments, but to shore up worldwide public opinion on the war in Iraq. "It`s a good thing that the demands of the United Nations were enforced, not ignored with impunity. It is a good thing that years of illicit weapons developed by the dictator have come to the end," said the leader. Saturday is likely to witness a number of demonstrations across the world against the US military presence in Iraq. But despite the opposition he has faced since the United States went to war against Iraq last year, Bush says, he is certain that in the end, America`s fight against terror will be justified. Closer home, he will want public support to be in his favour as well, if he is to be re-elected in the Presidential elections. Bureau Report